Tuesday, 27 June 2017

The definitive novels of Jack Higgins

Regular readers of this blog will know that Jack Higgins (Harry Patterson) is my favourite author. In my opinion, the bestselling British writer is one of the finest storytellers of my time. He makes writing stories, including thrillers, look so easy, just like his compatriot Jeffrey Archer. Although I have not read all his 85 fast-paced action-espionage novels, I have read many, and I look forward to reading the rest with much excitement. I started reading Higgins in early eighties, with his most significant work, The Eagle Has Landed, followed by Hell is Too Crowded, The Last Place God Made, and A Prayer for the Dying. I remember each of these well. His heroes, many of them ex-IRA, are anti-heroes and vice versa; the kind you want on your side because you know they're good men, almost saint-like, and all very likeable. Here are six of my favourite novels of Jack Higgins, though, if you ask me tomorrow I'll replace them with another six including Night of the Fox, Toll for the Brave, and The Keys of Hell. Have you read Higgins?

Col, you could start with any of the above novels though, personally, I'd launch into Higgins with THE EAGLE HAS LANDED and then see John Sturges' film adaptation starring Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Donald Sutherland, and Donald Pleasence as SS chief Himmler.

Prashant, I needed a reminder that I want to read some Higgins' books this year. I am definitely reading THE EAGLE HAS LANDED for my World War II reading challenge this year. And I hope I get to other books by him soon too.

Thanks, Prashant, for your thoughts on Higgins and his work. I remember Higgins' novels from my growing up years, but I've not read any of them for a very long time. I agree with you, though, about their pace and plots. I ought to re-discover them...

I read Jack Higgins and Frederick Forsyth at around the same time, Prashant. I loved THE EAGLE HAS LANDED, but there my memory of Higgins' books ends. (I know I read a couple more.) Maybe I'll begin again. :) Have you read DAY OF THE JACKAL by Forsyth? Or one of his lesser known books, ICON? Don't miss them if you haven't.

Yvette, I read Higgins and Forsyth (including THE LATTER'S THE DAY OF THE JACKAL) along with other bestselling authors of that era including Robert Ludlum, Jeffrey Archer, Dick Francis, Desmond Bagley, Arthur Hailey, Lawrence Sanders, Alistair MaClean, Wilbur Smith, Harold Robbins and Irving Wallace, to name some. In those days I used to read almost a novel a day.

I love your passion and enthusiasm, Prashant! I don't know much about Higgins, but good to have some recommendations. You really must read Mike Ripley's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Higgins is one of his key authors.